Page 98 of Rebound
I want to say I’m surprised by the question, but I’m really not. I assume all of them are wondering the same thing. Honestly, when I’m not with him, I wonder the same thing, too.
Then I see him, and he does something sweet, like buying me a really expensive ring and knowing that my favorite color is pink, planning a date where we get to eat my favorite food and watch my favorite movie.
When he does all that, my brain goes, ‘oh, that’s why.’ Because no other boyfriend or the one fiancé went to such lengths. It didn’t bother me, until now.
I always chalked it up to them being busy because I only dated professional athletes or people who worked with them. It’s easy for things to fall through the cracks when you’re constantly on the move.
While I’ve been thinking, the cars in front of us have moved forward and we’re next in line to order. Once I place our orders, I turn to Kai.
“I like him,” I say.
I don’t add more, and he doesn’t ask me why. He accepts it at face value like a good friend
“I hope he treats you right or he’s going to make a lot of Titans angry,” he says.
“If Jules leaves any part of him alive, you’re welcome to him,” I say.
I roll up to the drive thru window and pay for our drinks, accepting my decaf iced coffee and Kai’s mocha Frappuccino with extra whip. It’s his after therapy treat.
“Why don’t you guys like Roman? Be honest.” I may as well get some intel that’ll help me.
Kai sips on his coffee. “It’s not that we don’t like him. He’s never made efforts with us, and yeah, the marriage doesn’t help. At the end of the day, it’s your decision and we understand that. But we can’t really ignore the fact that Roman has no regard for this team.”
That makes perfect sense, and Roman knows this, I’m sure.
“What if, it’s just the way he is? He’s never really opened himself up to people, not even his previous teammates.”
I feel Kai’s gaze on the side of my face. “I understand that, but it might take the other guys some time to come around. He’s different when he talks about you.”
Picking up my coffee, I take a sip, willing myself not to blush. “We have a lot of history.”
“Was Roman like this when you were younger? Drew really doesn’t like him.”
“He was. We were in the same school until he was sent to boarding school and he spent so much time in the principal’s office because he was always getting into fights.”
“But he was always nice to you?” Kai tilts his head.
“Always. He was my best friend, other than Jules. We spent a lot of time together.”
Kai hums thoughtfully and doesn’t say anything else.
“I hope you guys give him a chance,” I say. “Roman isn’t a bad or malicious person. Whatever he says or does, it’s not because he has something against you guys.”
With that, I turn on the audiobook we were listening to on our drive back to his place. Where Roman’s also waiting for me. Each block closer causes my heart to race, even though I’m not doing anything strenuous, and I’m still in pretty good shape.
It’s dinner and a movie. I can be alone with Roman for a few hours without it leading to anything. We used to do it all the time when we were kids. It’s no big deal.
“Do you want to come over to Roman’s apartment and watch a movie with us?” My voice is squeaky and high pitched. I want time to rewind so I can go back to a minute ago and stop myself from asking Kai to join us.
I’m sure it’s going to be as awkward for him as it will be for me. I don’t even know if Roman likes having people in his space, other than me and Kita.
Kai assesses me quietly. “Are you afraid to be alone with Roman?”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel, and I swallow, nodding once. “It’s not the way you might think, though. It’s not stranger danger. It’s the good kind of fear, you know?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s nerves and fear and excitement. Roman and I are married, but we’re still very new to this relationship. It’s a lot like those early days of dating when you’re still getting to know someone, but you know that you might end up liking them. It’s that.”
